Rating:  Summary: fish scales and glue Review: I picked up this book because it seemed as if it would be an exotic and adventurous beach read and it COULD have been if it just hadn't been sooooo... sloooow...! The characters are not very sympathetic especially Hannah who doesn't mind risking pregnancy with a man she feels has a similar mentality as her raving, deformed and thankfully dead husband. And poor Hannah, her new lover,despite protests to the contrary, just doesn't understand her deep emotional needs which are about as clear as a black pearl. The studly Archer, starts off as a man but pretty soon sounds like a whiny woman in love, which is the problem when a female author tries to think like a man (can't be done which isn't always a bad thing except for this book). Nothing happens for about 300 pages and I really was hoping the much maligned Len would rise from the dead but it's not that type of novel. Finally the last 100 pages are OK with some action and the tying up of loose ends. I would have liked more info about pearls but I could get a textbook to help me. It's just that then I would have missed out on some pretty steamy sex scenes.
Rating:  Summary: Suspense and Romance in One! Review: After getting a glimpse of Archer Donovan's character in both Amber Beach & Jade Island I was quite interested in reading Archer's romance story. He is cunning, ruthless, and seems to have an icy aura over him - but when he's around Hanna McGarry we see somewhat a different side of this serious man. In both Jade Island and Amber Beach Archer seems as though he can only give love to his family. However, surprizingly it is Archer that first realizes his love for Hannah instead of Hannah falling for Archer first. This I liked about the book because in most novels it is the woman who wants the man to love her instead of the man wishing for the lady's love. However, the mystery and suspense of this novel kind of drags on - the whole situation about the missing pearls and such is intriguing, but only to a point. After a while it gets a little bit annoying because it drags on for too long and there is too much emphasis and detail about the pearls. However, if you are reading the book more for the mystery instead of the romance than you might not agree with me about it being a little tedious. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I finished it in less than a day because I could not put it down!
Rating:  Summary: Wow! Review: I really thought this was a great story! If I thought there were any Donovan men left that the author hadn't already married off I'd be on a plane for Seattle!
Rating:  Summary: HOT HOT HOT!!! Review: HOT! If you know what I mean. Great story and excellent narrating by Dick Hill. Elizabeth Lowell writes great romances. ....
Rating:  Summary: Like the cover, it's a much darker story. Review: Archer's edition of the Donovan series was a lot like archer himself. Namely, dark, hard, mysterious, and even a little on the cold side. As honorable as Archer is, though, I thought that Hannah McGarry deserved a little better, a little nicer person, on her second time around.The info about Pearls was, as usual, fascinating. I might just feel qualified to pick out my own moon gems from now on. Personally, though, a gemology manual would have done the same trick. Read it if you like the Donovan series, avoid it otherwise.
Rating:  Summary: The Donovans just keep getting better! Review: Let me reveal my prejudices right up front - I'm a big Elizabeth Lowell fan and I've loved all of her contemporary novels, especially the Donovan series. "Pearl Cove", however, is truly exceptional. Archer Donovan is the oldest Donovan brother, and he has a definite edge about him. He's physically amazing - of course - but he also has deep emotions that he keeps tightly controlled. When his illegitimate half-brother's wife, Hannah, asks him to come to Pearl Cove, Australia following the brother's murder, he immediately leaves his comfortable home in Seattle. The trip stirs up a lot of emotions for Archer. There's his complicated relationship with the half-brother, his uncomfortable past as a secret operative, and his forbiden attraction to Hannah herself. You're in for lots of love, lust and adventure as he and Hannah sort it out. One of Lowell's fortes is her wonderful research which she artfully weaves into her story. You'll learn any amazing amount about the fascinating world of pearls while you're reading this book - the way they're made, how they are appraised and the international pearl market - but Lowell so skillfully adds it to the story that you won't feel like you're getting a lesson. You will also love her well-developed and exciting characters, not to mention the Donovan family. I like my family quite a lot, but I'd be happy to be adopted by the Donovans... I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Lowell will give us the stories of the absent twin brothers!
Rating:  Summary: Good story and it's different Review: Ms. Lowell has definitely done a lot of research. I learned a lot about pearl production and it is quite interesting. This story also has 2 brothers as different as night and day. The "underworld" pearl industry was very intriquing. A good book but a lot more detail than I like to read in a novel.
Rating:  Summary: Pearl education Review: Elizabeth Lowell writes a wonderful love story with well -written characters in interesting locales plus gives an entire education in pearls. I was sorry that I had not read her earlier books in this series so immediately ordered them.
Rating:  Summary: Exceeded my expectations Review: I must admit that ever since I started the Donovan series I was looking forward to Archer's story (as the leader of the pack he seemed the yummiest!) When the book came out though two things held me back from reading it right away. The fact that he had a beard (sorry but I'm not fond of any facial hair at all) and that Hannah was the wife of his half-brother (hey, I go for those unrealistic "first love" story lines, and the fact that she was married to his brother made it worse for me). Am I glad that I decided to read this book. THIS IS A KEEPER! For one thing it's the best one of the three books (haven't read Faith's story yet so that's not included) and the information on how Pearls are cultured is very interesting not to mention educational. Hunter is all that I expected him to be - I just pictured him without the beard while reading :). Hannah is such a survivor and a perfect counterpart to him. Between the interesting pearl farming aspect, the interaction of the characters and the whodunit - this turned out to be one great read. Plus I got to visit with the rest of the Donoval clan. A question though - what did Len do to Hannah during the marriage? How did she survive being left alone with no food and no money for 6 days? (don't want to think she had to resort to "that" - the puritan in me objects!) There were so many references to the emotional abuse she went through but they were not really thoroughly explained. Oh well.
Rating:  Summary: An Excellent Read - You can't help but love the Donovans!! Review: I picked this book up on a whim. I didn't know it was a part of the series about each one of the Donovan siblings. I was so excited when I finished this book to find that there had been two previous books and a fourth book soon to be published, I immediately bought the others! You will fall in love with Archer Donovan and as the character of Hanah develops, the chemistry between them is great! Elizabeth Lowell included enough information about pearls and oysters to to be interesting and add a dimension to the story. If you like suspense, and enjoy some passion and spark you will love this book. However, prepare to fall in love with Archer, as well as all of the Donovans. If you read this one first, you will want to read all the books about Archer's siblings.
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